Recommendations on Standards for the Design of Medical Diagnostic Equipment for Adults with Disabilities, Advisory Committee Final Report

Standing Supports (M304.3 and M305.3)

M304.3 Proposed Provision: Would require standing supports to be provided on each side of the standing surface on diagnostic equipment used by patients in a standing position. M305.3 would require the standing supports to provide continuous support throughout the use of the diagnostic equipment and to not rotate within their fittings.

M305.3 Proposed Provision: Also provides technical criteria for standing supports in horizontal and vertical positions. Standing supports can be provided in a horizontal position, vertical position, or a combination of horizontal and vertical positions, as long as the minimum length of gripping surface is provided for the support position used on each side of the standing surface. Standing supports that adjust from horizontal to vertical positions and at angles in between, such as a bar that folds up and locks into multiple positions, can be used. These kinds of adjustable supports are not required but would accommodate a broad range of patients with disabilities, particularly where a patient needs to assume multiple body positions for a diagnostic procedure or needs to step up onto a surface and then maintain balance afterwards.

• Sub-Committee Recommendation: Standing Supports – Location
• (scales serving both wheelchair and standing users).

o 1 side of platform for dual ramp entry of platform
o 2 sides of platform for single ramp entry with 34” minimum width between standing supports
o The standing supports need to be tied in to the weighing platform for weight accuracy.

Rationale: Standing supports required on one side of dual ramp has relevance for users being able to access either side for entry – user may only have one usable side due to condition such as a stroke, or right or left side paralysis or weakness etc.

Standing supports required on both sides for single ramp entry to assist user to gain access to weight platform.

A 34” minimum width between the supports allows for adequate elbow space to push wheels onto platform and does not infringe on the 32” platform.

Standing Supports (scales serving both wheelchair and standing users)

• Sub-Committee Recommendation: Standing Supports - Length

The length of the standing supports to be 32” minimum for single ramp scale and 40” minimum for dual ramp scale.

o Single Entry Ramp - On both sides of single entry platform for a length of 32 inches minimum starting at platform entry edge.

o Dual Entry Ramp – On one side of dual entry platform for a length of 40 inches minimum.

Rationale: Having standing supports for 80%, or 32 inches minimum length at the platform entry edge on the single entry ramp allows for enough coverage in length to assist the patient for stability to grab on both sides, to gain access to the platform for this one way entry and exit. Standing supports on the dual entry ramp, allows for the full length of the platform to have a standing support available on one side for the patient to provide stability when entering onto the platform and exiting off the platform - a user may select which side of the platform to enter given the limitation of having one strong side due to conditions such as stroke or right or left side paralysis or weakness etc.

Standing Supports - Single Ramp Scale

Figure 4: picture of standing supports on both sides of a single entry ramp scale showing the 80% coverage (or 32” length) starting at the platform edge and the 34” minimum space between supports

Standing supports – Dual Ramp Scale

Figure 5: picture of standing supports on one side of a dual ramp scale of the platform length of 40” minimum